The Brighton branch is currently closed for renovations.
We will be glad to assist you at the nearby Faneuil or Honan-Allston branches.

The Boston Public Library - Brighton Branch renovation project is managed by the City of Boston, Property and Construction Management Department – Public Facilities for the Boston Public Library. The Brighton Branch Library will be one of the first renovated City of Boston buildings that will incorporate the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED-CI guidelines toward achieving the Leadership Energy Environmental Design (LEED) status. This project is quite extensive and will require the branch to be closed for 12-15 months.

Update on the Brighton Branch Renovation

January 2010

During the month of January, an exterior wall damaged by water will be repaired and waterproofed. Interior painting continues. A new curved bench has been installed on the Academy Hill Road side of the building. The architects are working with a millwork designer to create a new circulation desk and the community meeting room is progressing. The Library and the City have been working with the Friends of Brighton on the selection of furniture.

The branch is scheduled to reopen in the Fall of 2010.

There are many exciting changes coming to the branch, including:

• LEED Certified with the use of green and/or recycled materials
• Increased wiring infrastructure to accommodate more public computers
• A self check-out machine for public use
• An expanded and completely renovated Children’s department with space for young people to display their own works of art
• Installation of an elevator for universal access to all areas of the library
• New front entry with granite pavers and ADA-compliant ramp
• Improved lighting on the exterior and interior
• State-of-the-art meeting room for public use.

Brighton branch, July 2010.

Brighton branch front stairs, July 2010.

Brighton branch garden, July 2010.

Brighton branch "living wall," July 2010.

Brighton branch, February 2010. Photo courtesy of Barbara Moss

Brighton branch, February 2010. Photo courtesy of Barbara Moss

Brighton branch, February 2010. Photo courtesy of Barbara Moss

Brighton branch, February 2010. Photo courtesy of Barbara Moss

Circulation Area in July 2009

Children's Room in July 2009

Please continue to visit www.bpl.org for updates and photos of the construction. Please direct any questions or comments to Christine Schonhart, Neighborhood Services Manager at 617-859-2340 or cschonhart@bpl.org.

DISTINCTIVE ASPECTS OF THE COLLECTION
The branch holds a very good collection on local history, currently adding oral histories of Brighton residents that will soon be available online. In addition to a comprehensive basic collection, the branch holds a large collection of in large print materials. There are also Russian and Spanish reading materials for all ages. There is an ever growing collection of DVDs, Videos, and Books on Tape.

HISTORY
In the 1800s Brighton was Boston's Wild West, home of large stockyards and the supplier of Boston's beef. Over two hundred years ago the people of Brighton formed the Brighton Social Library, open to local citizens for a fee. When the town was annexed to Boston in 1874, the Brighton Social Library became a branch of the Boston Public Library. The same year the collection was moved from the Town Hall to a ornate library building named for Brighton notable, James Holton. In 1969 a new Brighton Branch building was opened. The building was designed by Norman C. Fletcher of the Architects Collaborative of Cambridge.